Time-controlled mechanism for operating lights.



w. H. Ausw. TIME CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR OPERATING LIGHTS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I9 I9I5.

Patented July 4, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

w. H. AnslT. TIME CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR-OPERATING LIGHTS.

APPLICATION FILED [18.19.1915.

Patented July 4, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- lights or lamps,

f mechanisms for use on motor vehicles for UNITED-STATES PATENT oFFIoE.

WILLIAMH. Ainsrr, or BA'rA'vIA,vNEw YORK, AssIGNon 'ro JOHN FRANCIS THOMAS,

orJBATAvIA,

TIME-CONTROLLED MEGHAN'ISNI FOR OPERATING LIGHTS.

Application led February To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. Aosrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Batavia, in the county of Genesee and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Time-Controlled Mechanism for' Operating Lights, of which the followingI is a specification.

IThis invention relates to time controlled switches or mechanisms actuated by a clockV or the Alike for lighting or extinguishing and morel particularly to controlling the lighting and extinguishing of the lamps or lights ofthe vehicle.

vOne of the objects of this invention, is to provide a clock controlled mechanism which Y can be .used on a motor vehicle or .the like and which can be set so as to causethe lighting ofthe lights of the vehicle at any desired time, and which will automatically extinguish the lights at the expiration of a certain time, so that the operator ,off the vehicle can leave the same standing without paying anyV attention tothe lights.

'Other ob'ects of the nvention are to pro-A- duce a mechanism of this kind which will beV thoroughly reliable in operation and which will not add materially to the size of a clock of this kind nor otherwise detract from the usefulness or accuracy thereof also to provide convenient and readily operable means `v for placing the clock actuating mechanism into or out of operation; also to provide a mechanism which will extinguish the lights after the expiration. of a certain period of time; also VJtoimprove the :construction of mechanisms of this kind in the respects hereinafter specified. v y

' .In the accompanyingdrawings: Figure 1 is a. perspective view,of a' clock provided with a lightcontrolling mechanism embodyi ing the invention, apart of the casing of the clock being broken away and theclock movement being omitted. Figi. 2 is an elevation thereof partly in sectionon line 2 2, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is" a sectional plan.v view thereof on line 3 3," Fig. ,2. Fig. Liis al fr aggmentaryr vertical section thereofbnrline 2 2, \Fig.

3, on an enlarged scale. Fig.' 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation thereofl on line 5 5, Figf, showing a part of the setting mechanism Fig's and 7 are fragmentary sectional plan views on`=line 6 6, Fig. 4,

`Specicaton of Letters Patent.

NEW YORK.

Patented July 4, 1916.

19, 1915. I Serial No. 9,290.

showing in different positions the means for placmg the light controlling mechanism into .and out of operation. Fig. -8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation thereof on line 8 8, F 1g. 6. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional .elevation thereof on -line 9 9, Fig. 7. Fig.

10 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 4, showing the switch lever in its operative position. Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmentary sectional elevations of the time con'- i the current controlling device fshowing-the same in the open* and closedpositions respectively. Figs. 15 andv 16 are sectional plan views on line 15-15 Fig. 11, and line 16-'-.16, Fig. 12, respectively."

The clock and the mechanism controlled thereby are arranged in a .suitable casing which may be secured toA the dashboard or other convenient place on a vehicle and may be of any suitable construction," that shown consisting of a shell or housing A containing the clock movement, and a casing A secured to the backfofthe housing A and provided with lugs a by means of which the clock and the mechanism controlled thereby can be secured on the dash of a vehicle. The front of the shell'A is provided` with a transparent face or plate a. secured in a rim a2 which may be suitably secured on the shell. .The clock movement is supported onv a suitable `frame consisting of.a plurality of-disks or provided with a -dial or face b provided with the usual numerals for indicating the time and over whichthe hour and minute hands b2 and b3 move. The works or clock movement which actuates the hands may be of anyy suitableipor desired construction and is not shown since it constitutes no part of this invention. The clock mechanismv is shown in the drawings with the dial facing upwardly, but the clock may be supported in any other manner, for instance, it may be secured to the dash of a car so that the dial will be in a substantially upright plane.

The mechanism for controlling the lights may be actuated from any desiredl part of the clock movement. In the construction `Shown the hour hand Z22 is provided with a 5 proportioned that the gear c will ma e a complete revolution every twenty-'four hours.l The gear c is secured on a switch-actuating shaft or member D which is slidably mount? ed in the clock frame, the idler c beingof sufficient width to permit the gear c to rel main 'in mesh therewith throughout the .movements of the shaft D. The inner end of the shaft D engages with a switch lever 'or other devicefor controlling the lights i in such a manner that the lights will be tion, as shown in Fig. 10.

The longitudinal movement of theshaft,

lighted when theshaft is in its lower posiin the construction shown, is effected by 2d means of an arm Z engaging with a cam E.

The arm d, asl shown, extends outwardly from a hub or sleever d secured on the shaft D, and a spring d2 arranged between the hub d', and one of theplates B normally presses. the arm d against the cam E. The cam E is preferably of the construction shown, comprising a diskhaving a circular flange e which extends parallel with the shaft and concentric therewith, the end of the liange forming the cam face against which the armA d bears. The cam face comprises a gradually sloping portion e and an abrupt or shouldered portion e2. The arm d during the rotatioirof the shaft D travels upwardly on the ,gradual sloping portion e until 1t comes'to the ab vupt portion e2, at whlch point the spring d forces7 the shaft D downwardly to actuate thev light controlling device. l v r/ r The gradually-sloping otion of the cam need not extend complete y around the cam but can begin atany desired-distance from the abrupt portion thereof, depending upon the time during which it i'sfd'esired to keep the lights lighted.

tively to the arm ai.

meshes-with a gearj,

In order to regulate the time at which the arm d comes to the shouldered portion e? 0f the cam fory causing the /lightln of the lights, the cam Eis made adjustale rela- Any suitable mechanism may be employed the construction shown, asleeve f is rigidly secured on the cam E and a gear` F is secured to the lower end of the sleeve. This gear suitably journaled in the casing A, which iii-turn meshes with a gear f2, Fig. 5, secured on a bearin pin or pivotf3 journaled in an extension 4 on the casing A. A knob or handle f5 is secured on the pin f8 preferably by means of as crewations which can be placedin thread so as to facilitate the assembling and taking apart of this part o f the mechanism, and `is provided Witha graduatedl dial por-` tionf, The dial is provided with graduregistration for this purpose. .In

actuated atthe time for w ich the dial f.

is set.

The above described mechanism yactuates alight controlling device, which, in the construction shown 1n the drawings, comprises a device for closing and opening an electric circuit to cause the lighting and extinguishing respectively of the lights. The current for causing the lighting of the lights enters and leaves the casing A" through two stationary switch members G G sultably insulated from the casing A, and adapted to baconnected to the conductors 'of the circuit by means of binding screws g or the like. In order to close the light actuating circuit the two switch ,members G G are electrically connected by means of a movable switc member G adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with both of the members G. The movable switch .member G is mounted on and insulated from a light controlling member or switch lever H which is normally l,

held in. a position to hold the switch memb er G out of Contact with the members G by means of a spring la.. One end of the switchlever isplvoted at It on the casing A and'the'other end of the lever is adapted to be'l engaged b the shaft D.l

When the sha D moves to its lower position it moves the switch lever H into its circuit closing'.l position and the lever is held in this position'by means of a dogv or latch I having a shoulder 11 adapted to engage the end of the switch lever H, as shown in Fig. 10. The latch I is pivotally mounted on the casing A and is yieldingly pressed by means of a spring i into position to engage the switch lever. In the construction shown, the latch is pivoted at i2 in a collar i which is secured in a hole in the casing A by any suitable means, such-as a screw i* througha flan i of the collar and secured to the casing i?. l

The inclined portion e of the cam E is so formed as to move the shaft Dupwardly so as to release the switch lever from its extending circuit closing position after a certain period of time. In order to prevent destructive arcing whenvthe circuit is broken, means are provid to insur a quick opening of the swiftch-l This'is-accomplished in the construction shown by providing the latchI with an inclined or cam face c adapted tol be engaged by a knob or projection K on` Means are provided which c'anbe operated at will to place the `clock-controlled light actuating mechanism into or out of operation.

Ithis purpose, a disk, wheel or member L-1s provided which is pivotally mounted at Z on- In the construction shown for the casing A. A portion of this disk is cut away, forming a shoulder or stop Z which is adapted to engage witha stop pin Z-2 secured on the casing A to limit the moveposition. The disk is then free to move into ment of the disk L in the directionin which the disk is turnedwhen it is desired to permit the clock Icontrolled mechanism to actuate the lighting system. The disk L is providedlwith a spring or cam Z3 which is adapted to engage the latch I. to move the same against the action of the spring z" and to cause the latch to release the switch lever when the disk L is turned to the left, as shown in Figs. and 7. This spring or cam, the construction shown, is so shaped that the outer' extremity thereof engages the latch I and releases the same at the first part of the movement of the disk toward the off the off position without having the spring Z3. engage the latch, until the disk reaches the extremity of its movement in this direction, ,When an intermediate portion of the spring Z3 engages' the latch an'd holds the same, in its released position as shown in Fig. 'VT'. The disk also h\ an inclined face or part Z4 which is adaptd to engage the underside of the switch lever H to raise the lever into its circuit opening position and to hold the same in this position. When the disk L is in the position shown in Figc the operation of the light controlling mechanism.is not interfered with. When it is desired to prevent the operation of the light controlling mechanism or to extinguish the lights the disk .is moved into the position shown in Fig. 7,` in which'the spring Z3 moves the latch l outgof its holding position and releases the switch'lever H, and the inclined face Z4 of the. disk L then engages the switch lever so as to prevent the move'- y ment of the same into its circuit closing position. The disk L is releasably heldin either of its two positions by means ofthe spring Z5@ mounted on the casing A and 4adapted to engage in either of two notches actuation of the lights by the clock controlled mechanism or in position to permit this actuation.

By means of the clock controlledmechanism described, the `operator ofa vehicle can\.set the mechanism to cause the lighting of the lights at any desired time, for eX-' ample, the time-stated by a local ordinance, and can then leave the car standing without paying any further attention to the lights,

which will be automatically taken care ofby the mechanism. The mechanism will also extinguish the lights after a certain interval of time, for example, after day-break, so' that the vehicle can be leftl entirely alone and the owner will not be in danger of yionlating any local requirements or laws.

p The mechanism described is of simple and inexpensive Iconstruction and reliable in operation and has the advantage of being easily set to light the lights at anydesired time. In case the mechanism is not required to light the lights, the disk L can readily be movedrto the off position so that the lights are in no way interfered with bythe clock-operated.'mechanism. The mechanism is compactin construction so that the size of clocks usually employed on the dashes of f rotation thereof, a light controlling memberl adapted to be placed into operative and inoperative positions, and means for holding said light controlling member in one of .said positions, said shaft placing the member into position to be engaged by said holding means by movement in one direction and releasing the holding means by its movement in the other direction to permit said light controlling member to move to its other position.

2. The combination with a clock move# ment,- of a shaft rotated by said clock movement, means for causing endwise movement of the shaft at predetermined parts of the rot( on thereof, a light controlling member icc ada ted to be placed into operative and inoperative positions, and av latch for holding the controlling member in one of said positions, said shaft having a part adapted to engage, said latch for releasing the same to permit the controlling member'to move to the other of said positions.

3. lThe combination with a clock movement, of a shaftrrotated by said clock movement 'and Jslidable endwise, a cam for causing the,y endwise'movementof said shaft and having an inclined portion and an abrupt portion, a light controlling member adapted to be engaged by said shaft when the same moves over the abrupt portion of the cam to place said member into operative position, and means 4forholding the controlling member in operative position, said shaft having a part adapted to engage'saidholding means for releasing the same to permit the controlling member to move into inoperative position.

4. The combination with a cloclrmovement, of a shaft rotated by said clock movement and slidable endwise, a cam for causing the endWise movement of said shaft, a light controlling member adapted to be engaged by said' shaft to place said member into operative position, a latch for holding the controlling member in operative position, said shaft having a part ladapted to engage said latch for releasing the'same to permit the controlling member to move into inoperative position. v

5. The combination with a clock movement, of a shaft rotated by said clock movement and slidable endwise, a cam for causing the endwise movement of said shaft and -having an .inclined portion and an abrupt portion, a light controlling member adapted to be engaged by said shaft when the same moves over the abrupt portion of the cam to place said' member into operative position, a latch for holding the controlling member in operative Iposition, and means actuated by said shaft while in engagement with the inclined part of said cam to release the latch to permit lsaid controlling member to moveinto inoperative. position.

A6. The combination with a clock movement, ofl a shaft rotated by said clock movement and slidable endwise, a lcam having an v inclined portion for causing endwise moyement of said shaft and an abrupt portion, means for yieldingly pressing said shaft into engagement with said cam, a switch controlling member arranged in operative relation to said shaft and adapted to be moved into operative position when said shaftmoves toward the same by moving over-said abrupt portion of the cam, a latch for holding said member in operative relation, and coperating l parts on said latch and said shaft for releasing said latch when said I shaft is moved away from.- said controlling member bythe inclined portion of the cam.

The combination with a clock movement, o'f a shaft rotated by said clock movement and slidable endwise, a cam for causing endwise movement of said shaft, a

switch controlling member adaptedV to be moved into its operativeposition by said shaft, a latch for holding said controlling member in its operative-position, and means operable at will for releasing said latch';`J

8. The combination with a clock movement, of ashaft rotated by said clock movement andjslidableendwise, a cam for-causing endwise movement of said shaft, a

switch controlling member adapted to be moved into its operative position by said n shaft, a latch for holdingl said controlling member in its operative' position, and means 9. The combination with a clock movement, of a shaft rotated bysaid clock movement and slidable endwise, a cam for causing endwise movement of said shaft, a switch controlling member adapted to be moved' into its operative position by said shaft, a latch for holding said controlling member 'in its operative position, and a part having an arm adapted to'fdisengage the latch from said member and a part for holding the actuating member out of operative position, said part when in one position preventing thev actuation of said controlling member by said shaft and When in another position permitting such actuation.

10. In a clock controlled mechanism, the combination of a casing for said mechanism, a clock movement'in said casing, -a shaft rotated by said clock movement and movable endwise, a cam/for causing the endwise movement of said shaft, a light controlling switch lever adapted to be actuated by said shaft, means extending to the exteriorof' said 'casing and operable at will for permitting lor preventing the actuation of said light controlling switch, and means operable from 'the exterior of the casing for adjusting the position of said cam for controlling the time of actuation of said switch lever.

11. The combination with a cloclmovement, of an :actuating member rotated by said clock movement, a cam member eligaged by said actuating member, one of said members being adjustable relatively to the other member for causing endwise movement of the actuating member at redetermined parts ofv the rotation thereo ,alight controlling meinbeni adapted to-,be placed into operative andinoperative positions, and. means for holdin light control- .lling member in one o said-positions, said actuating member placing the light controlling member into position to be engaged by said holding means by movement in one direction and releasing the holding means by its movement in the other direction to permitsaid light controlling member to move to its other position.

l2. The combination of a light controlling device, an actuating member therefor, a

whereby said actuating member is moved in one direction, means for moving said actuat- -ing member to move the controlling device.

when said actuating member passes of of said cam face, a latch for holdin said controlling device when moved" by said actuating de vice, and means connected to said actuating device for releasing said latch 14. The combination of' a light controlling device, an actuating member therefor, a cam face engaged by said actuating member and adapted to move said actuating member in one direction, said cam face having an inclined portion and an abrupt portion, a clock movement for moving said atuating member over said cam face, said actuating member engaging said light conative position,

when the actuating device is moved by said cam.

2li.A

trolling device abrupt portion of the camto place said device into its operative position, holding said controlling device in its operand means actuated by said when` passing over `,Said

a latch for actuating member while in engagement with the inclined .part of said cam to `release said latch to permit thecontrolling device to return to its inoperative position.

15. In'a clock-controlled mechanism, the combination of a casing for said mechanism, a clock movement in said casing, a cam for moving said member in one direction, a light controlling switchlever adapted yto be ac i ``tuated by said actuating member, means extending to the exterior of said casing and operable at will for permitting or preventing the actuation of said light controlling.

switch 1ever,vand means operable from the exterior of the casing for adjusting the position of said camffor controlling the time of actuation of said actuating member.

Witness my hand, this 17 day of February,19l5. h

WILLIAM H. ADSIT, Witnesses:

"FRANK THOMAS, THOS. S. MUNnnm-.- 

